​Edmonson Voice Sports/Wildcats Live Staff
It was a tough Memorial Day game for the Lady Cats as they fell in the first round of the Region 3 Tournament 7-0 to end the 2016 season. Although no one wants to end a season with a loss, there are still too many positive things about this season to keep these girls' heads down for too long.

The Lady Cats held their own during the first three innings, trailing only 1-0 until a big Meade County fourth resulted in a deficit of 5-0 going into the 5th inning. Meade County played add-on during the next two innings for a final 7-0 loss for the Lady Cats.

Head Coach Jeremy Garmon credited his seven seniors for showing the younger players the "Lady Cat way."

"There are big shoes to fill for these younger girls," he said. "The standard has been set." 

Even though the majority of responsibility was taken on by seniors, Garmon has talked about the entire team unit all year long.

"The whole team battled all year and they have no reason to keep their heads down," he said. 

The Lady Cats struggled to get into any sort of rhythm against strong Meade County pitching. "We had lots of emotion packed into the entire weekend for us," Garmon added. "Meade County made plays and we didn't."

Edmonson County mustered up very little offense with only three hits and had a difficult time reaching base. Rebecca Massey, Alex Whitfill, and Maddie Stice each went 1-3 while Rachael Duncan drew a walk along with Kayla Whittington with 2 walks in addition to reaching on a hit-by-pitch.

Garmon pointed out that although the team may not be remembered as the most talented team, it can easily be said that it was a great group of girls that are true winners.

"They made my job very easy. This team will be remembered for the heart and desire they had," he said.

The 12th District Champion Lady Cats finish the season 23-11, which is fourth in all time school wins in one season. It makes the sixth Lady Cat fast-pitch team in the past decade to win 20+ games in a single season. The team is also the only team in EC fast-pitch history to have players that were part of more than one district championship team (2013).

Edmonson Voice Sports
The Lady Cats have had some really good softball teams over the last decade but most fans remember the great ones, those that have brought home the hardware to Brownsville, like the 2006 and 2013 team. Thanks to a win over Grayson County Friday night in the District 12 Finals at Whitesville Trinity, some will argue that the 2016 team has now transitioned from a good team to a great one.

"I've always said that good teams get talked about, but great teams get remembered, and this one will be remembered," Head Coach Jeremy Garmon said.

With the score tied 3-3 going into the 9th, senior Kayla Whittington smacked a double to put the go ahead run in scoring position. Catcher Rebecca Massey connected for a base hit to drive in Whittington. The Lady Cats put another run on the board as Alexis Whitfill drove in an insurance run with a base hit.

The Lady Cat defense held the Lady Cougars in the ninth and won 5-3.

Coach Garmon was asked how difficult it was to bring home a district championship, especially since this was his first year as head coach for the Lady Cats.

"It's their team, I just steer the ship," he said.  "We knew coming in we had a chance to be special.  Our goal all year has been to beat Grayson in the district finals.  These girls had a major let down in the first round last year and even though I wasn't here, I felt it was my job to help erase that memory.  I love this team and am very fortunate to have inherited such a wonderful group in my first season.  They had no reason to trust me.  I had never coached a varsity fast-pitch game until this season.  It shows what kind of ladies that they are-- that they could handle a first year coach. That was probably a little different from the norm, but they trusted me."

Although people remember the plays that change the score, it's the ones that don't always make headlines that are usually the game changers. Megan Dockery's triple in the fourth inning followed by Carsan Logsdon's double put the first run on the board for the Lady Cats. That was a momentum shifter that put the charge in the Lady Cats that would keep them going until the last out in the 9th.

Garmon also credited other plays like Massey's throw down to third that picked off a Grayson County runner and extremely solid defense by Jhonna Basil, Dockery, and Whittington. 

Rachael Duncan pitched all 9 innings and began to wear down in the 8th. "They hit some pitches hard off Rachael, but they were hit right at some of our girls. Seems like when we needed a play, they made it," Garmon said.

Duncan allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits, and struck out 8 while only walking one. The game was her 20th win of the season.

Helping the offense was Caitlin Simon going 3-5 and 1 RBI, Cierra Woodcock 1-2, Kayla Whittington 3-5, Dockery was 2-5 and a walk, Massey 1-5 (go ahead RBI), Carsan Logsdon 2-4, 1 RBI, and Alex Whitfill went 1-5 with an RBI.

The Lady Cats are now 23-11 on the season and will play Meade County in the first round of the Region 3 Tournament at 10:00 at Shifley Park in Owensboro. 

Garmon said he was still on top of the mountain late into Friday night, but he and his team will level out, using this as momentum into the Regional Tournament. "I tell them no matter what: don't get to high and don't get to low.  We discussed all year that district games were the ones that mattered-- especially the tournament.  Everything we do builds, then gets us ready for that goal.  They stuck to the plan.  After every loss they came back ready to get better." ​

​We have a guest Co-Host - Madison Rich! This week, we speak with the former Lady Cat about her experience as a college athlete, update you on Edmonson County Archery's most recent results, and fill you in on the latest from the other spring sports. Click that play button!

Edmonson Voice Sports
Little League sports don't usually make the news unless an amazing feat has been accomplished or a big tournament championship has been claimed, but sometimes it's the small things that people need to know about.

It's important to note that the folks in charge of our local Parks and Rec and members of the Baseball/Softball Board are doing a great job of putting our kids first. That's not always been the case here, but over the last few years, there have been major improvements to our local programs. 
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​There are always going to be coaches that selfishly choose to live vicariously through their children and team members and will do whatever it takes to win, no matter what, how, or why. However; that wasn't the case during a local game last night. 

​We won't name the coaches, league, or teams in last night's game, as it doesn't matter. What matters is all coaches should follow this example and try to practice this idea when possible.

The head coach said, "Why take a kid who's having a rough time and beat them down into the ground? We're supposed to be teaching these kids how to play, not just how to win." 

Twenty years from now, it's doubtful anyone will ever remember the score of last night's game, or who got a hit, or who struck out or walked. It's very likely, however, that someone will remember a solid act of sportsmanship that helped the game end on a positive note.

Rachael Duncan and Austin Sasse are in the Senior Spotlight this week, and we catch up on the news from the spring sports...it's all on this week's show! Why wait to click that play button?

​Be sure to follow @wildcatslive, @JOscarJr, and @WynCaudill on Twitter!

Edmonson Voice Staff
photos by Scott Skaggs Photography
Four seniors were honored on Saturday, May 14, 2016 along with their families as the Wildcat Baseball team celebrated Senior Day 2016. Seniors Danny Pate, Shawn Winchester, Cole Logsdon, and Matthew Jaggers stood along side their families while being recognized on field in a pre-game ceremony. The Wildcats played Todd County where they went on to win easily, 10-1.

Darren Doyle, story and photos
The Lady Cats had no trouble with the struggling Metcalfe County Hornets this past Thursday night at James Woodcock Field as they won 15-0 in 4 innings on softball Senior Night.

Seven seniors were honored along with their families in an emotional pre-game ceremony. Seniors Rachael Duncan, Carsan Logsdon, Jhonna Basil, Rebecca Massey, Kayla Whittington, Maddie Stice, and Alex Whitfill enjoyed the night as the Lady Cats improved to 20-10 on the season with two games left to go before the district tournament.

​"It's always emotional for seniors on senior night, and a little more for us this year with our situation, but I think we did a good job of keeping our emotions in check tonight and things took care of themselves," said head coach Jeremy Garmon.

Garmon said the win was uplifting to his team after two straight losses, the last being an 11-0 shutout against a very good Warren East team. "After this win, I think we're back where we need to be, after these tough losses. We had three of our starters hurt in a week and we had some girls out. Everyone was back tonight and everyone contributed, so I think we're back where we need to be."

Rachael Duncan pitched the four inning shutout. She gave up only two hits, one walk, and struck out three.

The Lady Cats showed aggressive offense early, batting around and scoring 9 runs in the first inning. Senior Kayla Whittington led the charge, going 4-4 with 3 RBI's on the night. Sophomore Megan Dockery also had a big night, going 3-3 with 3 RBI's.

Other Lady Cats helping the offense were Simon going 1-4, Massey was 1-4, Basil was 1-3 with 2 RBI's, Whitfill went 1-3 with 2 RBI's, Stice was 1-3 with 1 RBI, and Duncan helped herself, going 2-3 with 2 RBI's.

​The Lady Cats face Bowling Green at home Monday night and Hart County at home on Tuesday night. The Lady Cats are now ranked third in Region 3 standings and will be the number two seed in the upcoming district tournament that is scheduled to begin May 24th at Whitesville Trinity.

Seven Lady Cat seniors were recognized at James Woodcock Field last night in Brownsville as Softball Senior Night was celebrated before the ECHS-Metcalfe County game. Jhonna Basil, Rachael Duncan, Carsan Logsdon, Rebecca Massey, Maddie Stice, Alex Whitfill, and Kayla Whittington each presented gifts to their parents while they accepted senior medallions. 

​The Lady Cats went on to defeat Metcalfe County 15-0 in four innings.

​Spring sports are getting closer to district and regional tournaments, and we update the latest news. Also, we shine the Senior Spotlight on two Lady Cats, Alex Whitfill and Jhonna Basil...don't hesitate any longer...click that play button!

Darren Doyle, story and photos
A hole-in-one at golf, bowling a 300, and hitting a half-court basketball shot at the buzzer are all amazing sports feats that don't happen very often, but when they do, you make a big deal about it. In baseball and softball, one of those feats is pitching a perfect game. That means that as a pitcher, you allow no one to reach base, period. You don't allow any hits, you have no walks, but there also has to be no errors, not just for the pitcher, but the entire team.

That's why the perfect game in baseball or softball is arguably the most elusive feat in all of sports, yet that's exactly what ECHS Senior pitcher Rachael Duncan accomplished last night as her Lady Cats defeated Caverna 10-0 in her perfect game.

Fifteen batters faced, and fifteen batters out, all in a row as Duncan found her rhythm early and didn't let up.

Coach Jeremy Garmon said he wasn't aware that a perfect game was within reach until the 5th inning. An old superstition in baseball and softball is to never talk about a no-hitter or perfect game during the actual game or the contest will be "jinxed."

​"With the score being 10-0 in the 5th it hit me," Coach Garmon said. " I turned to Coach Haley (Garmon) and said "Does she have a.....?" and stopped. She walked over to me and I said we aren't mentioning anything but let me see the book, then she said "Yes, she does. "I'm very superstitious," Garmon said. "Coach Haley and I are huge baseball fans and just watched a no-hitter a couple weeks ago on TV.  It was then I felt a little pressure to call the right pitches because I knew Rachael was "on" and would execute the calls."

"I didn't even realize I had a perfect game until coach said something," said Duncan. "I was shocked because it's been a while since anyone has had a perfect game (in Edmonson County)."

2007 to be exact, when former pitcher Lauren Caudill pitched not only one, but three in her career (also amazing) as a Lady Cat. Caudill racked up an impressive softball resume during her time at ECHS from 2002-2007, and many wondered if a perfect game would ever happen again in EC. The question was answered last night, and it was a big, fat "YES."

Duncan actually combined with ECHS pitcher Alyssa Brooks for previous perfect game against Caverna earlier in the season, and although extremely impressive, combined games are not the same.

​"I realized there was a shot of a no hitter and perfect game when it was the 3rd inning," she said. "My team was there to back me up, so I thank them more than anything. I didn't do it by myself, my team is always there to back me up and make awesome plays."

Coach Garmon was also quick to credit the Lady Cat defense, something imperative in a perfect game.

"The key to a perfect game is not only the pitching and catching, but the defense, he said. "They can get relaxed with so many outs in a row and then one error ruins the whole thing. Everyone did their job. It was a great feat, no matter the level or the opponent, it takes a team effort."

The Lady Cats had no trouble creating offense against the struggling Lady Colonels. Leading offensively was Kayla Whittington, going 1-2 with a walk, a stolen base, and 4 RBI's. Several other Lady Cats also helped the offense like Duncan, who helped herself, going 1-2 with an RBI double.

First year coach Garmon said he's learning on the fly, but enjoying the success of his team, which has now improved to 19-8 on the season. He said the credit for the success is not his own.

"From top to bottom, all the credit is to them," he said. "The players work hard. They want to win. There have been ups and downs, but in the end they are a team. I inherited a great group that has made my job a whole lot easier than it could have been. We still have a lot of goals left to accomplish. I told the girls a while back people talk about good teams, but they remember great teams. We want to be remembered."

Being remembered is lots easier when you have pitchers that compete at the level of Duncan. This year alone, she's now pitched a perfect game, a combined perfect game, along with two different one-hit games. She has a 1.55 ERA on the season with 90 strikeouts and only 17 walks.

Box Score: Simon, 1-3, RBI, Allen 0-2, BB, Massey 1-2, BB, Stice 0-0, run, Basil 2-2, BB, Dockery 0-2, BB 2runs, Whitfill, 0-0 2RBI, 2HBP, Logsdon 1-3, RBI.

Duncan went 5 innings on 53 pitches. Not to be overlooked, the Lady Cats shutout Caverna again in the next game, 11-0 which was a doubleheader. Alyssa Brooks notched the win in the 5 inning complete game shutout. She gave up no runs on 5 hits, 2 strikeouts, and 1 walk.

The next game will be at Grayson County on Thursday, May 5th at 5:30. You can listen to the game live on WildcatsLive with Jamie and Wyn starting at 5:15pm.

Darren Doyle story and photos
The 2016 Junior Wildcat Football Camp kicked off today at Wildcat Stadium as 43 hopeful future Wildcats took the field under the direction of new ECHS head coach Nathan Smith.

Coach Smith and Assistant Coach Kyle Culbreth had the high school team serving as instructors for campers that ranged from kindergarten through 7th grade. The eighth graders had recently completed spring practice sessions with the high school team and did not attend.

The coaches said they were pleased at the turnout and that there were many young campers that were attending for the first time.